After 28 days of intense battles, Allied forces have conquered 94% of the map (as of this report). Constant factory bombing hindered Axis equipment production for most of the campaign and has been a hot topic in the forums. Huge battles emerged, most notably in Essen, as Axis forces defenses were tested. Today we've also released our Downloadable Content Packs (on Steam only), and we're in the process of inviting our many veterans back to the game. Spread the word, things are busy around here! Keep reading for more news inside.

Intermission

Intermission will be played out in the Antwerp and Brussels areas. The new “districts” in these huge towns will provide some intense close quarters battles! Intermission duration has been undetermined as CRS continues their work behind the scenes. Campaign 156 will be announced as it becomes available, we hope everyone enjoys their holiday weekend (USA - Labor Day).

DLC Packs, Subscriptions, and You

Since the announcement of the DLC Packs, many questions have popped up in the forums and in game. Here is a brief synopsis that answers a few of the most common questions:

All DLC Packs are a one time purchase and will be yours as long as you have your account.

Packs are not transferable to any other account.

DLC’s will be available through Steam initially but will be available organically in the future.

These packs are were designed to enhance Reserve and Starter subscription players involvement with basic tier equipment.

Premium subscribers have access to all equipment except the Leadership Pack (NCO and Ammo Bearer) but will be available for purchase. Builder subscriptions receive the new infantry classes as an added “Builder Perk”.

Subscriptions and One Time Purchases (DLC)

Next week's patch has a slew of bug fixes, adjustments, US Paratroopers, and the introduction of the DLC packages. Here's a brief overview of what will be

available, visit your account page or Steam for pricing.
Subscription levels - Organic and Steam
-Reserve (Free Organically and Steam as well)
-Starter
-Premium
-Builder
The following DLC Packages will be offered through Steam only. They will be available organically down the road.
-Recruit Pack
-Leadership Pack (includes 2 new infantry classes)
-Paratrooper Pack
-Light AA Guns Pack
-Light ATG Guns Pack
-Light Armor Pack
-Medium Armor Pack
-Combat Fighter PackFor a detailed list of each package click here. These packages are a "one-time" purchase for as long as you have your account. Our Packages were designed to complement the Reserve and Starter accounts with a variety of lower tier equipment, Premium accounts gain access to all equipment and packages (except the Leadership Pack). Builder subscribers receive all equipment as well as many perks/insights from CRS.

WillyTee Visits the Hanger

The myth, the legend, WyllyTee emerged from the Hanger with another comic! I think he nailed this one.

Campaign 155 Overview

-Allies continue to push the line East.
-Tier 3 equipment entered the battlefield yesterday.
-Factory bombing has played a huge role in this campaign. Allied bombing runs have kept the Axis factories near total destruction, hindering the resupply time of their equipment.

Bug Fixes

While CRS continues their work on the massive 2018 Road Map, the teams have worked up a release that focuses on some known bug issues. SCKING and his team have been testing nonstop to ensure these bugs have been squashed. No date has been given for this release. We will keep you informed.

QA (Quality Assurance) Team has embraced a new team member, tr6al. Welcome!

My favorite quote from OLDZEKE, "Our job is to breaks things." I think he has a new QA team motto?

As a follow up to our July 31st announcement, we have some additional changes that are coming to WWII Online's product offerings. CRS is focusing on improving the value of our existing and upcoming offerings and working to provide a base entry to the game that is mutual for both Organic and Steam users. Also, all past Premium users of WWII Online now have "Rifleman" access to the game and the open forums to stay actively participating as a member of our community. Full details within the article, this is an important one!

We've got some good changes to our first plan we wanted to share with you guys today in an effort to stay transparent and open about how we're evolving WWII Online to be more accessible and build value of existing and upcoming offerings. We hope you're looking forward to how we're evolving the game and providing users an entry to the game and an effective ladder to opening more doors for greater enjoyment / play-ability.

Please read the following carefully as there are some pretty big changes that are inbound.

PREMIUM USERS NOW HAVE RIFLEMAN ACCESS (NOW LIVE)

We have some great news for all of our Premium users, past and present. We've set in motion that ALL players who have had a premium subscription at any point in the history of WWII Online will receive access to a RIFLEMAN only account that we'll be referring to as the "Reserve Account."

FREE PLAY CHANGING TO RESERVE ACCOUNT (SEP. 1)

The Reserve Account will be the FREE point of entry for both our organic and Steam customers. Anyone who currently has a free play account will also be effected. This will be a "Rifleman Only" account for users to participate as a member of our community and evaluate what we have to offer.

STARTER ACCOUNT UPGRADES (NOW LIVE)

The Starter Account has received some new vehicles and weapons to bolster their value, price remains $7.99/mo (no change):

New Tanks

Panzer III F

Hotchkiss 39

A-13 Cruiser

New Infantry Units

Light Mortarman

Grenadier

Anti-Tank Rifleman

Airborne Sniper

UPDATED ORGANIC PROGRESSION PATH

Reserve Account (Free Entry)

Rifleman Only

Replaces current Free Play subscription

Removal of premium trial (any duration)

Starter Subscription

Premium Subscription

FREE PLAY RECONSIDERATION ON STEAM

After the initial announcement of our product plan adjustments, we conducted some more analysis and agreed that we didn't want to go exactly back to free play as it was, but wanted to provide some point of entry for users on Steam to access the game. Thanks for the feedback of our players who helped guide this decision. We hope that our reception goes better this time and we'll be really trying to make clear that it's a demo / Rifleman only account just to hop in and evaluate what's going on versus a full blown free to play micro-transaction type game.

UPDATED STEAM PROGRESSION PATH INBOUND - AT A GLANCE

Here's a quick overview of the chart of how users will progress through access. The big change here is offering a "Reserve" Free Account as the basic point of entry. We want to give folks all the reason to show up and download the game and hop in and see what we're doing with WWII Online.

UPDATED BREAKDOWN OF ACCESS PER STEAM DLC

By purchasing DLCs users will retain access to its content indefinitely. Users may become a Premium or Starter subscriber at anytime, and continue to retain the DLC access that they've received.

Reserve Account: Free (Base Game)

Rifleman

Evaluation / Free Entry

Purchase a subscription for the game

Premium

$14.99/mo

$44.99/quarter

$129.99/year

Starter

$7.99/mo

Purchase a one time buy DLC

Recruit Pack: $7.99

Rifleman

Limited SMG

Trucks

Fairmile (River Boat)

1 week trial access to all DLC packs

Leadership Pack: $9.99

NCO Class (New)

Tier 0 SMG (4 Magazines)

Pistol (2 Magazines)

Smoke Grenades (4)

Ammo re-supply can (1)

Ammo Bearer Class (New)

Bolt-Action Rifleman w/30 rounds

Ammo re-supply can (4)

Create and lead missions

Squad creation

Infantry binoculars

Build infantry fortifications

Take command of a brigade

Paratrooper Pack: $12.99

Transport Planes

Ju-52

C-47

Airborne Rifleman

Airborne Submachine Gun

Airborne Light Mortarman

Light AA Gun Pack: $9.99

Hotchkiss 25mm AA Gun

CA mle 38 25mm AA Gun

FlaK 30 20mm AA Gun

Haulers (Towing Vehicles)

Light AT Gun Pack: $9.99

QF 2 Pounder 40mm AT Gun

SA mle 34 25mm AT Gun

PaK 36 37mm AT Gun

Haulers (Towing Vehicles)

Light Armor Pack: $12.99

Renault R35

Vickers Mk VI

Panzer II C

Medium Armor Pack: $14.99

Hotchkiss 39

A-13 Cruiser

Panzer III F

Combat Fighter Pack: $17.99

Messerschmitt BF-109E/1

BF-110/C

Hurricane Mk I

Spitfire Mk Ia

Hawk 75

Dewotine 520

TRAINING CORPS IS BEING RE-ACTIVATED - TRAINERS NEEDED!

In an effort to better support training of users coming into WWII Online we're sending out a call for players who are interested in formally training trainees / recruits in the following fields of expertise:

Infantry / Airborne School

Leadership School

Armor School

Gunnery School (AT / AA)

Top Gun School (Aerial Combat)

If you are interested in becoming an official trainer of WWII Online and are skilled in a component listed above, please e-mail: agm@corneredrats.com - Be sure to identify your call sign and preferred school to teach.

Trainer Requirements Include:

Speak and write English fluently

Host training sessions on Discord

Provide at least two physical training sessions per month

Provide critical success information in forums

Answering questions / guiding users rapidly

Actively work component to improve

Prepare action notes for improvement for CRS

Provide weekly report to CRS Community Management

FEEDBACK IS ENCOURAGED

As mentioned before your feedback is welcome and appreciated. We're listening closely and making improvements where we can. Thanks everyone, Salute!